James Kemmis

Career

He was born the son of Thomas Kemmis of Shaen and Susannah Kemmis of Shaen Castle, now in County Laois, Ireland, formerly known as Queen's County. He sold his interest in the family property to his brother and used the money to purchase an ensigncy in the British Army's 9th (East Norfolk) Regiment of Foot. Promoted to lieutenant in June 1777, after sailing to America, he fought in the Saratoga campaign as part of General Henry Powell's brigade of General John Burgoyne's army. Kemmis was captured by American rebel forces and remained a prisoner of war until 1781 when he was exchanged and returned to England.[1]

Upon his return from the war, having been promoted to Major-General in 1811, Kemmis took up a staff position in Ireland rising to command the Centre District. He retired in 1819 and died one year later in Cheltenham, Gloucester.[5]

Personal life

Kemmis and his wife had no children; she died on 24 June 1810 in Southampton. Whilst in the army he was not a popular officer, and was accused by one of his juniors of involvement "with the wife of a common soldier". He was also known for his anti-papist views.[6] However, according to a family tradition of artist George Rowe (1796-1862), Kemmis adopted the daughter of an English soldier in his division who died while serving in the Peninsula War, Seville on the day his daughter was born. The soldier's wife accompanying him in his foreign deployment died on the same day after hearing of her husband's death. Kemmis was to adopt Philippa, together with his sister, who continued to raise her in Cheltenham after Kemmis' death. Philippa was to marry renowned Cheltenham topographical artist and lithographer George Rowe. <Blake, Stephen.1982, p.9>

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